Device for inductive energy transfer into a human body, for example, and use of said device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device (Iü) for inductive energy transfer into a human body (l), having a transmitting unit ( 23 ), which has a transmitting coil ( 25 ), wherein the transmitting coil ( 25 ) has a coil winding ( 26 ). According to the invention, the carrier element ( 32 ) is a flexible structure which extends in a planar manner and c an be adapted to a body contour, and the coil winding ( 26 ) of the transmitting coil ( 25 ) is fixed to the carrier element ( 32 ).

The invention relates to a device for inductive energy transmission intoe.g. a human body with a transmitter unit comprising a transmitter coil,the transmitter coil (25) having a coil winding.

A device of the type mentioned above is known from DE 10 2016 106 683A1. The device described there serves as a component of a VAD(Ventricular Assist Device) system for charging a battery located insidethe body of a person. It comprises a transmitter coil with a coilwinding and a battery connected to the coil winding

interacting magnetic core and a carrier element in whose area the coilwinding and the magnetic core are arranged. The carrier element isusually in the form of a rigid housing made of plastic. For good oroptimum energy transmission it is important that the transmitter coil isconnected to the carrier element.

as closely as possible to the human body. Due to the rigid design of thecarrier element or housing, the wearing comfort of the device describedin DE 10 2016 106 683 A1 is limited. It is therefore difficult for aperson to transmit electrical energy into the body over long periods oftime with this device.

Furthermore, state of the art transmission devices for inductive energytransmission are known, which are designed as an air coil (withoutmagnetic core) instead of a magnetic core for the purpose of fieldguidance and shielding. In the case of the latter version as an air-corecoil but problems occur 30 due to the missing shielding.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a device for inductive energytransfer into a human body, which has an improved wearing comfort.

This task is solved by the device specified in claim 1. Advantageousembodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a mechanically flexiblesolution for

to form the transmitting coil and the carrier element, which thus adaptsoptimally to the body shape and thus enables a very high level ofwearing comfort.

One idea of the invention is in particular that the carrier element isdesigned as a

flexible element is formed. The coil winding is connected to thisflexible element. A shielding element or a magnetic core can also beconnected to the carrier element.

A shielding element in a device for inductive energy transmission

enables the magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil to beshielded and/or guided.

It should be noted that the coil winding, the shielding element or themagnetic core can be flexible, at least in some areas. Ins-

In particular, it should be noted that the flexible design of thesupport element and the shielding element or magnetic core enables adesired adaptation to the anatomy of the human body at the contact areawith it.

The preferred design of the support element and the connection of thebobbin winding to the support element provides that the support elementis made of a textile material, and that the coil winding is sewn to thetextile fabric. Such a solution makes it possible in particular to forma flexible assembly of coil winding and carrier element, which isparticularly compact in height. Furthermore, the carrier element has aparticularly compact design due to the

as a textile fabric has particularly good wear properties.

The preferred carrier element is a flat, expanded structure from thegroup of nonwovens, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, braided fabrics,stitch-bonded fabrics, bodies containing or consisting of siliconerubber, bodies containing a

Elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer or containingsilicone rubber or consisting of an elastomer, in particular consistingof a silicone elastomer or consisting of silicone rubber

It is advantageous if the coil winding is wound in the carrier element

. is taken. The transmitting coil can be sewn to the carrier element.

One idea of the invention is that adjacent sections of the windingconductor forming the coil windings are arranged alternately on theirside facing the carrier element and on their side facing the carrierelement.

are wrapped around the side facing away from the support element by athread passing through the support element. The spool winding of thesending spool can also be glued to the carrier element.

The magnetic core may contain a soft magnetic ferrite material. From

It is an advantage if the magnetic core is 25 flexible at least in someareas.

If possible, the shielding element is arranged on a side of the coilwindings of the transmitting coil facing away from the carrier element.It has the technical function of shielding a magnetic field of thetransmitting coil.

The shielding element is also as flexible as possible, at least in someareas. It is advantageous if the shielding element is extended over alarge area. In this way, a flat design of the device for inductivetransfer of electrical energy can be achieved. The shielding element mayhave at least one layer with a ferrite foil.

The shielding element can be at least indirectly connected by anadhesive bond

must be connected to the support element. For shielding the magneticfield generated by the transmitting coil it is advantageous if theshielding element covers the coil windings of the transmitting coil.

With the latter variant, it is preferred that the sewing of the spool-

lenwicklung with the textile fabric by means of a thread or the likeseparate from the bobbin winding. This allows each individual wire ofthe bobbin winding to be connected individually to the carrier elementwithout influencing the bobbin wire arranged next to it, thus achievinga particularly high degree of flexibility.

In order to form a flexible shielding element which adapts particularlywell to the shape of the body, it is intended that the shielding elementconsists of at least one layer of ferrite foil. It is also conceivableto arrange or use several ferrite foils (on top of each other).

den. As a special requirement, the material values of the ferrite foils,such as the initial permeability (approx. 2000 measured at 10 kHz and amagnetic field strength B of less than 0.25 mT at 25° C.) and thespecific losses (approx. 55 mW per cm3 for 100 mT peak to peak at 100kHz) should not deviate from a rigid magnetic core, as otherwise therequired

field guidance or the maximum specific heating are not fulfilled.

The shielding element can be connected particularly easily, at leastindirectly, to the carrier element by means of an adhesive bond. In thiscase, the desired fleece thickness can be achieved in particular by asuitable choice of adhesive.

x flexibility of the shielding element to the carrier element or coilwinding is guaranteed.

With regard to the design of the magnetic core, it is provided for itsflexible configuration in particular that the (disc-shaped) magneticcore consists of several, in each case rigid, at least substantiallyflat part elements, between which gaps are formed, and that the

partial elements are arranged movably to each other. Via the gaps, theindividual partial elements can thus be moved relative to each other inorder to enable adaptation at the contact area with the human body.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the size of the (air)

gaps between the partial elements of the magnetic core is a maximum of 5mm.

This minimizes possible stray fields.

A further preferred design of the individual components of the magneticcore is that recesses are made in the components

are designed to guide flexible fixing threads, whereby the fixingthreads serve to fix the sub-elements and, if necessary, the coilwinding on the carrier. The recesses can be formed in particular on theopposite side of the coil winding in the form of groove-likedepressions.

Another preferred geometric design provides that the coil winding haswire windings at least substantially concentric to each other andparallel to the plane of the carrier element and the shielding elementor the magnetic core.

The invention also comprises the use of a device, as described above,for transmitting energy into the human body, in particular as part of aVAD system.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention can be foundin the following description of preferred design examples and in thedrawing.

This shows in:

FIG. 1 schematic diagram showing the essential components of a devicefor inductive energy transfer into a human body using several shieldingfoils,

FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the device according to FIG. 1 in the areaof contact with the human body when using a partially flexible magneticcore,

FIG. 3 a perspective view of a coil winding fixed to the carrierelement, a top view of a segmented magnetic core as used in the device

FIG. 4 according to FIG. 2, a schematic representation of the connectionof a partial element

FIG. 5 of the magnetic core to a textile support element in a perperspective view, and a section through the connection area between themagnet core,

FIG. 6 coil winding and carrier element.

Identical elements or elements with identical functions are given thesame reference numbers in the figures.

In FIG. 1 a VAD system 100 for inductive energy transfer into a humanbody 1 is shown in a very simplified way. The system 100

comprises, outside body 1, a device 10 of the invention which cooperateswith a device 20 arranged inside body 1. The device 20 serves inparticular for the at least indirect

(Charging) of an accumulator within body 1 that is used to operate apump that serves the heart function of a patient. For this purpose thedevice 20 comprises in particular a receiving coil 22 which is onlyshown schematically. This receiving coil 22 acts with a receiving coilwhich is integrated in the device 10

is combined with a transmitting coil 25, via which an electrical voltageis induced in the receiving coil 22 by means of a time-varying magneticfield generated by the transmitting coil 25, not shown here, and thuselectrical energy is transmitted from the transmitting coil 25 to thereceiving coil 22.

The transmitter coil 25 connected to a non-displayed energy source has acoil winding 26 with an electrical winding conductor in the form of aWinding wires 30 up.

The wire windings of the winding wire 30 or the coil winding 26 areconnected to a carrier element 32. The carrier element 32 is a flat,extended fle-

xibles. It consists of one or more layers of textile. In principle, theexpanded structure can also be a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric,knitted fabric, a braid, stitch-bonded fabric, a body with or made ofsilicone rubber or elastomer, in particular silicone elastomers.

The coil axis 28 passes through the carrier element 32 for coil winding26. In the application, the carrier element 32 is arranged in contactwith the skin 2 of body 1 and adapts to the shape of body 1 in thecontact area due to its flexibility.

The connection between the coil winding 26 located on the side of thesupport element 32 facing away from body 1 and the support element 32 ismade either by a fabric bond in the form of an adhesive bond or bysewing as explained in FIG. 2. It is important to note that theconnection also guarantees a flexibility of the bobbin winding 26 to thecarrier element 32.

On the side of the coil winding 26 facing away from the carrier element32, a shielding element 34 in the form of two layers 36, 37 a ferritefoil is arranged. The shielding element 34 is also flexible, whereby theconnection between the shielding element 34 and the coil winding 26

for example by means of a (flexible) adhesive bond 38, e.g. by means ofan adhesive bond with silicone.

In FIG. 2, instead of the shielding element 34, the device 10 has adisc-shaped mag-

net core 40 with partial elements 42, which are arranged at a distancefrom each other. As an example, the at least substantially flat partialelements 42 are connected to the coil winding 26 by means of adhesivejoints 44. It can also be seen that the wire windings 30 of the coilwinding 26 are connected by a thread 45 or similar. element are sewn tothe carrier element 32.

The magnetic core 40 or the shielding element 34 and the coil winding 26arranged parallel to it are at least approximately circular in planview, as shown in FIG. 3 using the example of coil winding 26. Due toits flexibility and the adaptable

However, if the shape of the body 1 in the contact area is adapted tothe shape of body 1, deviations from the circular form 25 may inevitablyoccur.

FIG. 4 shows the magnet core 40 with its cake-segment-like part elements42. There are 42,

which are arranged radially around the longitudinal axis 28, gaps 46 areformed, which are a 30 maximum of 5 mm wide in the plane of the partialelements 42.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the case in which the sub-elements 42 of the magnetcore 40 are connected to the carrier element 32 by means of fixingthreads 48 with the interposition of the coil winding 26. For thispurpose the partial elements 42 on the side facing away from the coilwinding 26 are radially arranged around the

Longitudinal axis 28, groove-like recesses 50 are provided around thelongitudinal axis, in which the fixing threads 48 are guided.

The device 10 described above can be altered or modified in many wayswithout deviating from the inventive idea.

soft.

In summary, the following preferred features of the invention should benoted in particular:

The invention relates to a device 10 for inductive energy transmissioninto a human body 1 with a transmitter unit 23 having a transmittingcoil 25, the transmitting coil 25 having a coil winding 26. The carrierelement 32 is a flat flexible structure which can be adapted to a bodycontour and is made of stretched material, and the coil winding 26 ofthe transmitting coil 25

is fixed to the support element 32.

In particular, the invention concerns the aspects indicated in thefollowing clauses:

1. device (10) for inductive energy transmission into a human body (1),having a transmitter unit (23) with a transmitter coil (25), thetransmitter coil (25) having a coil winding (26) comprising wirewindings (30) and a shielding element (34) or a magnetic core (40)interacting with the coil winding (26),

-   -   and with a carrier element (32) in whose region the coil winding        (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40)        are arranged,    -   characterized by this,    -   in that the carrier element (32) is designed as a flexible        element, in that the coil winding (26) and the shielding element        (34) or the magnetic core (40) are connected to the carrier        element (32), and that the coil winding (26), the shielding        element (34) or the 5 magnetic core (40) are flexible at least        in some areas.        2nd device according to Clause 1, characterised in that the        carrier element (32) is formed from a textile fabric and that        the bobbin winding (26) is sewn to the textile fabric.

-   3. Device according to clause 2, characterized in that the ver-    sewing of the bobbin winding (26) with the textile fabric is    effected 15 by means of a thread (45) or the like separate from the    bobbin winding (26).

-   4. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 3, characterized in that    in that the shielding element (34) consists of at least one layer    (36, 37) of a ferrite foil is 20 formed.

-   5. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 4, characterized in that    the shielding element (34) is connected at least indirectly to the    carrier element (32) by an adhesive joint (38).

-   6. Device according to one of the clauses 1 to 3, characterized in    that the magnetic core (40) consists of several, in each case rigid,    at least substantially flat partial elements (42), between which    gaps (46) are formed, and that the partial elements (42) are movable    are 30 arranged to each other.

-   7. Device according to clause 6, characterised in that the size of    the gap (46) between two partial elements (42) is a maximum of 5 mm.

-   8. device according to clause 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses    (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing    threads (48), wherein the fixing threads (48) serve to fix the    partial elements (42) and, if necessary, the coil winding (26) to    the carrier element (32).

-   9. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 8, characterised in that    the wire windings (30) of the coil winding (26) are at least    substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis (28) and parallel    to the plane of the carrier element (32) and the shielding element    (34) or of the magnetic core (40) are    15 arranged.

-   10. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 9, characterized in that    the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic    core (40) are at least substantially circular    and are 20 arranged in mutual overlap with each other.

-   11. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 10, characterized in    that the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the    magnetic core (40) are connected on the same side of the carrier    element (34).    the coil winding (26) being arranged between the support element    (32) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) is    arranged.

-   12. Use of a device (10) which is designed according to one of the    clauses 1 to 11 is designed for energy transfer into the human body,    in particular as part of a VAD system (100).

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

-   1 Body-   2 Skin-   10 Device-   20 Establishment-   22 Receiving Coil-   23 Transmitter unit-   25 Transmitter coil-   26 Coil winding-   28 Coil or longitudinal axis-   30 Winding conductor-   32 Support element-   34 Shielding element-   36 Layer-   37 Layer-   38 Glued joint-   40 Magnetic core-   42 Sub-element-   44 Glued joint-   45 thread-   46 Slit-   48 Fixation thread-   50 Recess-   100 VAD system

1. Device (10) for inductive energy transmission into a human body (1), for example, having a transmitter unit (23) which has a transmitter coil (25), the transmitter coil (25) having a coil winding (26), characterised in that the carrier element (32) is a flatly expanded flexible structure adaptable to a body contour, and the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) is fixed to the carrier element (32).
 2. device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat extended flexible structure contains a structure from the group of nonwoven, woven fabric, knitted fabric, braid, stitch-bonded fabric, body containing or consisting of silicone rubber, body containing an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone rubber, in which the flexible structure is expanded in the form of a sheet. or consisting of an elastomer, in particular consisting of a silicone elastomer, or consisting of silicone rubber.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized thereby shows that the coil winding (26) is accommodated in the carrier element (32).
 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting coil (25) is sewn to the carrier element (32).
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that adjacent sections of a coil winding which is to form the coil (26) are alternately looped around by a thread (45) guided through the carrier element (32) on their side facing the carrier element (32) and on their side remote from the carrier element (32).
 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) is glued to the carrier element (32).
 7. device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised by a magnetic core (40) fixed to the carrier element (32) and/or to a winding conductor forming the coil winding (26).
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the Magnetic core (40) has a plurality of, in each case rigid, at least substantially flat sub-elements (42) between which gaps (46) are formed, the sub-elements (42) being movable relative to one another.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the

The maximum size of the gap (46) between two sub-elements (42) is

20 5 mm.
 10. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing threads (50). (48), the fixing threads (48) serving

25 to fix the partial elements (42) to the carrier element (32).
 11. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing threads (50). (48), the fixing threads (48) serving to fix the dividing elements (42) to the coil windings (26) of the transmitting coil (25).
 12. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that recesses (50) for guiding fixing threads (48) are formed in the partial elements (42), the fixing threads (48) of the fixing of the elements (42) and the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) on the carrier element (32).
 13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is a soft magnetic ferrite mate -

rial contains.
 14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is flexible at least in some areas.
 15. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is a flexible structure which can be adapted to the contours of a body and is extended over a large area.
 16. device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by a shielding element arranged on the side of the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) facing away from the carrier element (32) (34) for shielding a magnetic field of the transmitting coil (25).
 17. device according to claim 15, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is flexible at least in some areas.
 18. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is extended over a large area and has

30 at least one layer comprising (36, 37) with a ferrite foil
 19. Device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is a flexible structure which is extended over a surface and can be fitted to a body contour.
 20. Device according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is formed by an adhesive bond (38) is at least indirectly connected to the carrier element (32).
 21. A device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that shows that the shielding element (34) covers the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25).
 22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the transmitting coil (25) is con-gruent to a coil axis (28). central coil windings (26) with an electrical winding lead (30), the coil axis (28) passing through the support element (32) for the coil winding (26).
 23. Use of a device (10) which is designed according to one of the claims 1 to 22, for energy transmission into a human body, in particular as a component of a VAD system (100). 